Olympic Museum

Lausanne has been the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee since Coubertin moved it here in 1915, and the museum on the Ouchy lakefront is the IOC's own, opened in 1993 and rebuilt in 2013. It holds the torch from every modern Games, medals from 1896 onward, and equipment donated by competitors - Bolt's spikes, Nadia Comaneci's leotard and similar - alongside sections on ancient Olympia and on how the Games are staged. It is an institutional museum and presents the movement's own account, which is worth knowing going in; controversies are covered lightly. The terraced park outside holds sculpture and running tracks marked at record distances, and is free to walk.

The main sights

• A torch from every modern Games - the full series in one room.
• Athletes' own equipment - spikes, leotards and kit handed over by competitors.
• The IOC's own account - an institutional museum, light on controversy.
• A free sculpture park - terraces with record distances marked on the ground.

When to go

All year, closed Mondays outside summer. Half a day.

Practical notes

It is the movement's own museum and reads that way. Entry is not cheap. The park outside is free and worth time on its own. Ouchy is separate from the Lausanne old town, up a steep hill.

Nearby

Lausanne cathedral is up in the old town; Chaplin's World is east at Vevey.

Key facts